Feb. 6, 2005

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Senior distance runner Michele Suszek cruised to a personal-best time of 17:18.57 in the 5,000 meters Saturday afternoon to finish second as UNLV track and field opened its 2005 season at the New Balance Invite in Manhattan, NY. Her personal-best time in the 5,000 meters before Saturday's race was an 18:05.05 effort at the Aztec Classic on March 8, 2003.

UNLV took eight athletes including Suszek to the prestigious New Balance Invite, and Suszek was one of two Rebels to finish in the top 10. Suszek finished second to Lauren Burkes of Georgia, who finished with a time of 17:11.74.

Junior sprinter Gaven Jones claimed UNLV's other top-10 finish, placing seventh in the 500 meters with a time of 1:18.72.

UNLV had three athletes compete in multiple events at the NB Invite, with Christine Spence running in the 400 meters (56.11) and the 60 meter hurdles (8.72), Halima Decree competing in the 60 meters (7.67) and the 200 meters (25.26) and Miesha McClendon running in the 60 meter hurdles (8.67) and the 200 (26.37).

Deanna Appuglise (57.03) and Brittney Bullocks (57.12) both ran the 400 while Kiyota Reed also ran in the 60 meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 8.72.

UNLV continues its indoor season at the Husky Invite in Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 12.